Heather Massey

Can plunging into an ice bath make us feel happier? What about gratitude journaling? We’re digging into some of the quirkiest self-care hacks around the internet to find out what the science says — and whether you should add them to your routine. We talk to environmental physiologist Dr. Heather Massey, counseling psychologist Prof. Joel Wong, and social psychologist Dr. Juliana Schroeder. This episode does mention depression. Here are some crisis hotlines:  United States: US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  988 (Online chat available); US Crisis Text Line Text “GO” to 741741 Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (Online chat available) Canada: Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (See link for phone numbers listed by province) United Kingdom: Samaritans 116 123 (UK and ROI) (Online chat available) Full list of international hotlines here  Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsSelfCareIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) Chapter 1: Trendy self-care hacks(02:13) Chapter 2: Ice baths: How our body reacts(07:40) Chapter 3: Can cold plunges help with depression?(12:41) Chapter 4: The risks of ice baths(16:24) Chapter 5: Does gratitude journaling make us happier?(20:39) Chapter 6: How does gratitude work?(26:29) Chapter 7: When self-care isn’t just about yourself …This episode was produced by Michelle Dang, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Nick DelRose, Joel Werner, and Rose Rimler. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Carmen Drahl. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Peter Leonard, and So Wylie. Thanks to everyone we spoke to for this episode – especially Professor Megan Azad. And special thanks to the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Heather Massey, an Associate Professor at the University of Portsmouth and a seasoned cold-water swimmer, shares her expertise on thermoregulation and its implications for health. She discusses how our bodies maintain core temperature and dives into the physiological mechanisms behind hot and cold therapies. Heather examines the potential benefits of sauna use, cautions about safety for certain individuals, and highlights enjoyable alternatives to extreme temperature exposure, all while emphasizing a balanced approach to health.

Dr. Heather Massey, an Associate Professor of extreme environments and physiology, dives into the fascinating world of cold-water immersion and contrast therapy. She discusses her own experiences with outdoor swimming and explains the physiological responses to cold exposure, including the cold shock response. Heather elaborates on the potential mental benefits of cold-water swimming, such as reduced anxiety and increased resilience. However, she also cautions about the risks of extreme exposure and highlights the importance of safety and community in these practices.